Car underframe



T. R. COOK May 3 1927.

CAR UNDERFRAME 2 sheets-sheet 1 FiledDec. 23, 1926` www mi .Tl la...

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T. R. COOK CAR UNDERFRAME May 3, 1927.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 auen/tofu 1:15,::Iai-I Fled Dec.` 23, 1926 midi constructed in fer Patented lViay 3,

PATENT OFFICE. j

THOMAS B. COOK, OF SGB/ANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAB. UNDERFRAME.

Application filed December 23, 1926. Serial No. 156,654.

" The invention relates to a car underframe of substantially the full `length of the car of which it is to form a part, and such invention hasreference lto a cast metal frame of this character designed primarily for a `mine or analogous car.

One object of the invention is to provide a vone-piece carflengthA underframe whose least protected portions are weaker than its major portion `for the "purpose of localizing injury to the `frame in case said portions should strike or be struck by objects which would otherwise more` seriously injure the frame and car. The relatively weak portions, by yielding or possibly crushing under impact, will relieve the remainder of the `frame and car from such strain and shock as .would vin all probabilityV do serious damage thereto. i

A further vobject of theinvention' is to` provide an Vunderfranie which may be readily cast and removed from the flask in which it is so formed, by a single parting Yet another aim isto provide a frame of such form that a number of the openings necessary for the attachment of car parts may be formed by cores duringthe casting operation, While the remaining openings may be drilled with the aid of a template at a single setting ofthe frame in a drilling machine. y i, V

A still further aim yis `to provide a frame which may beeasily and rather inexpensive `ly manufactured, yet will be efficient and durable and will readily permit detachment of car parts for repair or replacement.

With the foregoing in view, the inventionresides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an underframe accordance with the invention. i

Fig. 2 is an end view. j Fig. 3 is a side elevation.` Y v Figs. 4 and 5 Vare respectively longitudinal and transverse sectional views as indicated by lines 4 4 and 5 5 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings above briefly described,

a car-length, cast-metal runderframe is shown and a number of the car parts such The frame embodiesv two inner, closely spaced, longitudinal members 6, twoy relatively heavy, outer, longitudinal members 7- which are laterally spaced fromthe members 6 and are provided withynarrowed end portions 8, and various transverse members connecting said longitudinal members 6 and 7.

.Four ofthe transverse members' are indicated by the reference characters 9, two of these niemb'ersnbeing disposed near each end of the frame. These members 9 converge toward the ends of the frame and have their inner ends joined to the end portions' of the members 6, While their outer ends. are joined to the relatively heavy body portions of the side member/7, at the juncture of said portions'with the narrowed end portions 8. These transverse members 9 are of heavier construction than the narrowed end portions 8 but need not be as heavy as the body portions of the side menibers7. End members 10 extend from the ends of the members 6 to the outer extremiv ties of the narrowed end portions 8 of the side members 7 and said 'end members preferably recede somewhat from ltheir inner toward their outer ends.

vShort transverse members 11 connect the longitudinal members 6 with each other, near the endsV of these members, leaving pockets P between said` ends for the reception of the draft gears G. Portions of these lserving as additional connecting means for said members, as well as assisting` in`pioperly mounting the draft gears.

Additional transverse members 15 con nect the central portions of the members 6 with each other, and still other transverse members l16 `connect `said portions of the members 6 with the corresponding portions of the side members 7. These members 16 may well be provided kwith lugsl 17` upon which parts of the brake rigging may be hung. n j u Each ofthe members 6, 7, 9, 10, 11,v 15

and 16, embodies a flat, plate-like, to'p por tion 18 and a flange portion 19 extending longitudinally thereof and projecting downwardly therefrom. All Iof the plate-likev portions 18 are integrally joined to each other `and they are disposed in a common horizontal plane, and all of theflange portions 19 Cil are free o`r lateral projectibris, are tapered downwardly, and have free lower edges. This construction permits the molded `frame to be readily withd `awn from the sand mold in which it has been cast, with only a single parting of the iiask, the parting line being` flush with the top surface of the portions 18.

Pedestal jaws 2O are formed integrally with and project downwardly from the` side members Tito straddl-e' the usual journal boxes B, said pedestal jaws being downwardly tapered to permit easy removal from the sand mold in which the 'lrame is cast. rlhe flanges 19 or the yside members 7, which flanges are located at the inner` an'd outer edges or the 'plate-like .top4 porti'on ,18A ot said side members, preferably have widened ends Q1 which are integrally joined 'to the pedestal jaws 2O t0 effectively reinforce` and brace them. lNear plates QQHare preferably secured by rivets or the like to the inner sides o1E thesepedestal aws andl may be removed and replacedwhen they have become badly worn. ,It will be observedwthat these plates normally protect the pedestaljaws against wear and hence add materially to the liie or the frame. j y j To assist in properly holding the upper ends or the usual springs Sin place, bosses 23 are formed on the lower sides of the members 7, between the pedestal jaws 20, these `bosses being downwardly tapered for easy removal from the sand. n i

All openings 24 necessary in vertical 'portions ot' therram'e, for the attachment or car parts, may be formed by cores during the casting ofthe frame, but all openings 25 in the horizontal top 4portion or the frame, are preferably drilled with the aid or a template, at a single setting of the trame in drilling machine. i

By providilrg` the novel 4soustraction shown and described, a 'frame is produced which may be readily `cast and withdrawn troni the mold at ajsingle parting or the tlask, and as the openings 24 may be formed by cores during the molding process, a great many drilling operations are obviated. Moreover, by drilling all of the openings 25 or any frame with a common template, the frames 'will be readily interchangeable.

The frame isrigidLdurable and in levery way desirable. rllhe major portion or this frame may be considered as "consisting ofthe inner longitudinal members 6, the relatively heavy major portions of the side members 7, and the transverse members 9, 11, 15 and 16. This major portion of the Jframe is sutliciently heavy to perform all needs, but it neednot be made excessively heavy, as it is protected topa large extentagainst injury, by the relatively weak end portions 8 of the side members 7, and the end members 10. These frame portions 8-10 'are disposed at the least protected portions or the frame, that is at its corners, and by having said portions weaker than the major portion or the frame, they will yield or crush under impact, in case of collision, wreck or the like, and hence, they will save the major portion or the 'frame from undue strain and shock which might otherwise seriously injure the same. These cornery portions, being l coinparatiyely small, may be easilyrepaired evenifthey have become badly damaged, but ithe vchances are vthat nb repairs will then be necesary to the major portion of the frame, as the c'oriier portions have received the bruma or the shock or impact andl hence have protected thermajor portion of the traine against 'such impact asl' would otherwise have seriously injured the saine. Excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, and they are therefore preferably followed. However, within the Ascope of the invention claimed, variations may 'of course be iliade.

I claim 1. A olie-piece car-length 'undertrame ycoiiijtiris'in'g two' inner substantially parallel longitudinal members, two outer longitudinal ni'eiiib'crs laterally spaced 'frm said inner members and having narrowed end portions, transverse members extending obliquely from the end portions of the inner members tothe outer members and joined to the relatively wide body portions or the latter at their juncture with said narrowed end portions, said transverse 'n'i'emb'e'rs converging towar'd the ends 'or the frame', relatively weak end members connecting the ends or said inner members with 'theoutei' extremities of` said narrowed end portions, and additional transverse members connecting said inner niem-A bers with veach other.

2. A` one-piece car-length underfranie comprising two inner substantially parallel longitudinal members, two outer longitudinal members laterally spaced Jfrom said inner members and having narrowed end portions, Vtjai'isvers'e members extending obliquely from the end portions oi the inner members to the 'outer members and joined to the 'relativelyvwide body portions of the latter at their juncture with said narrowed end portions, said transverse members converging toward the ends of the frame, relatively weak end members connecting the ends of said inner members with the outer extremities'of lsaid narrowed end portions, and additional transverse members, certain or which connect said inner members with each other at longitudinally spaced points while others connec't said inner members with said outer members.

3. A car-length cast metal u'nderframe comprising longitudinal and transverse members, eac-h or said members having a fiat plate-like top portion and a downwardly projecting longitudinal flange portion, the plate-like portions bein integrally joined to each other and dispose' in a common plane, the flange portions bein also integrally joined to each other, said ange portions being free of lateral projections, having free lower edges and being downwardly tapered for the purpose set forth.

4. A car-length cast metal underframe comprising longitudinal and transverse members, each of said members having a flat plate-like top port-ion and a downwardly projecting longitudinal flange ortion, the

plate-like portions being integra ly joined to -each other and disposed in a common plane,

the flange portions being also integrally joined to each other, said flange ortions bemg free of lateral projections, aving free lower edges and being downwardly tapered for the purpose set forth, and downwardly tapered pedestal jaws integral with and projecting downwardly from said longitudinal members to straddle journal boxes, the flange ortions of said longitudinal members being integral with said pedestal jaws.

5. A structure as specified in claim 5; said plate-like portions having drilled openings and said flange portions having coreformed openings wherever necessary for attachment of car parts to the frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

THOMAS R. COOK. 

